Walter W. Müller (born September 26, 1933) is a German scholar and professor emeritus of Semitic studies, recognized as a leading authority on the history, languages, and epigraphy of ancient South Arabia.
Müller’s academic career is primarily associated with the Philipps-Universität Marburg, where he held the chair for Semitic Studies from 1970 until his retirement in 2001. His research focuses extensively on the philological analysis of Ancient South Arabian inscriptions, including the Sabaic, Minaic, Qatabanic, and Hadramautic languages. His work has been fundamental in reconstructing the political, social, and religious history of pre-Islamic kingdoms such as Saba and Himyar.
Beyond epigraphy, Müller has contributed significantly to the study of the Old South Arabian script and its relationship to other Semitic writing systems. His scholarship also encompasses Ethiopian studies and the historical geography of the Arabian Peninsula, specifically regarding ancient trade routes and the production of frankincense and myrrh.
Müller has authored and edited numerous scholarly publications and has served as a long-term contributor to major reference works, including the Encyclopaedia of Islam. He is a corresponding member of the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) and has received international recognition for his contributions to the preservation and interpretation of Yemen's cultural heritage.